Also part of the moves, offensive coordinator John Reagan will shift responsibilities from tight ends to running backs next season, while linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Darrell Patterson has been named assistant head coach.

Patterson had been approached by Kansas and Nevada about jobs this offseason.

“When we made the change at defensive coordinator, there were a number of options that were considered, but Chris was clearly the best candidate for the job,” Bailiff said in a statement. “His impact on our cornerbacks was obvious from the first day he came to Rice, and that was proven out last fall. We lost some key veterans early in the year, but the younger players were able to step in and play well. I can’t wait for spring practice to start so our entire defense can begin to embrace the schemes he wants to employ.”

Hoefer has 35 years of coaching experience, including in his last stop at Baylor where he coached safeties (2003-07) and linebackers (2008-10). He also served as the Bears’ defensive coordinator in 2007.

“Larry is a Texas football coach to his core and he is respected by high school coaches throughout the state,” Bailiff said. “He was born in Abilene, played college football here and has made his mark at several schools in the state. He coached with Spike Dykes at Texas Tech and had some great years at UTEP as well as produced some fine players at Baylor.”

Sloan, an All-Pro tight end with the Detroit Lions, was promoted to the staff after serving two years with the Owls in a support role.

“David showed how badly he wanted to get into coaching,” Bailiff said. “I don’t know a lot of All-Pros with a family who would choose to live the life of a graduate assistant, but he did. Our tight ends have the benefit of learning from someone who became an All-Pro through hard work. I know they are thrilled to have him as their position coach.”

Bailiff is currently interviewing candidates to replace defensive line coach Derrick Jackson, who left to take a job at Wake Forest.

Jared, putting aside the Bailiff issue, Thurmond was responsible for the CB’s only, not the safeties. If you watched the game, Rice’s safeties were torched repeatedly (and have been for years), much more so than the CB’s. Former Coach Driesbach was the safeties coach, in addition to his defensive coordinator duties.